the polar ionic nanogenerator (PING)
Our core technology - the polar ionic nanogenerator (PING) - produces electricity from mechanical motion, enabling us to harvest energy from oscillating ocean waves. PINGs are highly versatile, capable of accommodating various end-user needs due to their modular design. They are ideal for harvesting energy from low-frequency systems, like ocean waves, and supplying that energy to store in batteries.
Target Benchmarks
Power: W per square ft
Depth: Up to 100 m
Duration: Up to 1 year
Ocean Wave-Powered Underwater Charging
Pittsburgh Coastal Energy is an early-stage hardware startup using ocean waves to charge underwater systems while submerged. At-sea systems such as unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) rely heavily on battery power for operational energy, which imposes significant limitations on their mission duration, stealth capabilities, and weight and size dimensions. Our mission is to expand undersea capabilities for UUVs and other naval systems by delivering underwater battery charging solutions to enhance long-duration stealth, ensure protection against storms, and offer operational flexibility for unmanned systems, thus providing strategic advantages unobtainable with other energy generation technologies.
Our core innovation - the polar ionic nanogenerator (PING) - directly converts mechanical energy from ocean waves into electricity without relying on bulky mechanical systems. Traditional ocean wave energy converters are large structures restricted to the ocean surface and are prone to single-point failures with high maintenance costs. PINGs, however, are modular interlinking cells built into scalable metamaterial structures, similar in concept to cells within a solar panel. Their modularity ensures redundancy and adaptability so that even if a single cell fails, the system maintains uninterrupted power generation to enable reliable operation in remote and harsh ocean environments. PINGs are designed to require only minor wave-induced displacements on the scale of centimeters, enabling them to effectively harvest energy at depths of up to 20 meters under normal ocean conditions and over 100 meters during storms. Key benchmarks for the technology include achieving watts-per-square-foot power output, a design depth of at least 100 meters, and a maintenance-free lifetime of at least one year.
With over $100,000 in non-dilutive funding secured from the Department of Energy, our next steps include enhancing PING power output, engaging with defense end-users to align with mission-critical needs, and building a prototype to deploy for underwater testing by the end of 2025. We are actively seeking defense partnerships to collaborate on SBIR/STTR funding opportunities to advance PING performance and expedite its deployment in undersea operations. If you are interested in connecting with us, contact us here.